Bow Vows Exchanged

Love Doggy Style


Does Cupid have you down? Don't get discouraged, love is for the dogs. The scene -- Valentines Day 2007, Hong Kong. 18 young pups gather to exchange their wedding vows.

These pups were hot to trot and ready to tie the knot at yesterday's puppy love ceremony. Nine canine couples gathered at a popular shopping hot spot in downtown Hong Kong on the eve of Valentines Day, dressed in tuxes, gowns and veils. Reuters news comments, "Bells tolled as the eighteen dogs, decked in full wedding regalia, walked the aisle at a shopping mall in Causeway Bay, the city's busiest shopping neighbourhood." The event was hosted as a publicity stunt to raise awareness and funds for local animal charities. The canine couples barked bow vows and exchanged wedding chokers in lieu of traditional rings.

Events of this sort have been gaining popularity recently in the UK and the United States. This week's hound wedding helps to introduce new dog concepts to the Hong Kong market and spark interest in canine culture. Thanks Hong Kong, for showing us that marriage really has gone to the dogs.

Photo thanks to Reuters

Cosby and the Canine

A celebrity canine stole the show yesterday at the 131st Westminster Dog Show in NYC. Harry, the furry companion of comedian Bill Cosby, performed like a true champ in the final day of competitions. Harry, named after Prince Harry, remains true to his namesake -- "playful and a bit of a mischief maker," wnbc.com remarks. But there was no funny business at the show, Harry's performance was brilliant and left room for no competition, literally. As the only Dandie Dinmont enrolled in the show, the best of breed award was handed over to him with no grovels or barks about it.

But don't be fooled, this pup does not need hand outs; his impeccable training and dashing looks has afforded him the honor of No. 1 show dog in America, winning 57 competitions last year alone. Cosby's superstitions kept him away from the arena at showtime, but his daughter was there to cheer the Harry on.

Photo thanks to Fox News

For the Love of Dog

A few days before the Westminster Dog Show begins is when the real party animals come out. Iris Love, archaeologist and Dachshund enthusiast, revels in the annual opportunity to throw one of the dog world's biggest bashes. Accompanied by her two favorite quadrupeds, Daphne and Cherubino, and 500 of their closest friends, Love took over Tavern on the Green with festive attire. This year's party theme was Mardi Gras and invitees fit the bill wearing feathered masks, dachshund pendants and loads of bling. Dogs barked, beads flew through the air, and the jazz band played into the wee hours of the night.

Why does this socialite go through all the trouble? For the love of dog of course. Reporter and Westminster Bash invitee, Liz Smith, offers, "Iris just loves to dress up and wear silly hats."

The festivities continue as we lead into the main event; The 131st Annual Westminster Dog Show wrapping up today at Madison Square Garden. The lineup includes 2,628 dogs strutting their stuff and competing for best in show. Signafur will keep you posted on all the details, so stay tuned.

Photo thanks to USA Today

The Weekend Wrap Up

You may have missed it, but you won't miss out. Here's a recap of happenings in the hound world that took place over the weekend.

On Friday, extreme sport pups, baby carriage-pushing and piano playing pooches put their best paws forward during a Charm School & Talent Show at the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) in New York City.

Later in the day, Honda Motors released the Vamos; a minivan designed for your mutt. The Vamos includes pooch friendly options including water and odor resistant seats, spacious fold down rear seats and tick resistant floor matts. The dogmobile is currently available in Japan for a little over $12,000 bones.

Saturday was ultra stylish in Indiana as the Alterra Sterling House sponsored an exclusive dog fashion show, displaying the latest in canine couture. As a finale to the fashion show, two hounds got hitched. All proceeds benefit the local humane society.

Sports fans got riled up on Sunday watching the much less publicized PuppyBowl III on Animal Planet where young canines competed for the championship title. Get all the final stats and details here.

Moving on to the international scene; Bangalore, India offered the 84th and 85th All-India Championship Dog Shows on Sunday. Over 400 entries were received, but only a lucky few were chosen Best in Show.

That brings us to Monday, so let's get out there and make some doggy news!

Photo thanks to Hindu.com

Dog Fashion Week Does it Again

Designers brace for the second annual NY Pet Fashion Week

Pet Fashion Week strikes again, scheduled for an August 2007 launch in New York City. Last year's show made more than a few big name stylists turn their heads and look down to take account of the impact our furry fashionistas are making. Ralph Lauren, Burberry, Juicy Couture, and Kiehl's are in the works of getting involved with the upcoming canine couture extravaganza, having already created pooch apparel lines this spring. Ralph Lauren came out with a canine cashmere sweater, Juicy Couture with a line of signature doggy sweats and rumor has it that Adidas may be jumping on board to introduce a line of four-legged footwear. With big name involvement stirring up the style industry, there's no telling how far and wide pet fashion will spread this season.

Packaged Facts, a division of MarketResearch.com, anticipates pet expenditures to burgeon to $52.4 billion by 2009. Pet Fashion Week 2007 expects equally large growth, estimating participation by over 120 vendors. Representing the Mecca of canine fashion and displaying the hottest in what's haute, this is not an event to be missed by industry buffs or canine enthusiasts. Once again in August dogs will take over the catwalk for a week of fashion, fun and fur.

Click here to get all the details.

Photo found on Flickr

Tags: pet fashion week, new york, fashion

Bye Bye Superbowl, Hello Puppybowl

Something is different about Superbowl Sunday; the players are furry and of the pooch persuasion, the half time show is run by acrobatic cats, and the tailgate party goers will be indulging in bones rather than beer.

This year, half time is hound time as Animal Planet kicks off their 3rd annual Puppybowl. The Puppybowl III premiers Sunday February 4, 2007 on Animal Planet and features the best in four legged football.

Charitable as well as entertaining, the Puppybowl stars canines rescued by Animal Rescue League and other local shelters in the Washington D.C. area. With the help of Animal Planet, these pigskin playing pups have a chance of adoption to a loving home. In addition, the Animal Planet website directs viewers to its sister service, PETFINDER.COM, "the best resource for finding adoptable pets." Through the related sites, perspective pet parents can obtain useful information about adopting a hound of their own.

Click here to watch clips from last years festivities.

Tags: super bowl, animal planet, puppybowl

The Weekend Wrap Up

Doggy Dancing Strikes a Pose

Doggy Dancing continues to shake hips and wag tails in Great Britain and beyond. This weekend, a select few in Manchester witnessed a show of choreographed pup precision.

Click here to check out the hilarious video clips of Carrie Neri and her furry partner, Calloway, rocking out to their routine in front of a panel of World Canine Freestyle Association (WCFA) judges. The art of doggy dancing has roots in the 80's and is being slowly perfected. There are a few kinks yet to be worked out; some doggy dancers argue that participants should avoid wearing flashy attire as to take away from the integrity of the piece. Clearly, the WCFA has no qualms with a few costumes.

Similar movements are gaining popularity in the United States and Japan, promising more entertainment on the international canine scene.

Photo and video clip thanks to the Hartford Courant

Best in Show

Update on the 2006 AKC Agility Trials

This weekend dog enthusiasts around the globe took a moment to paws and tune in for the 2006 AKC National Dog Championships broadcast live from Long Beach, California. Incase you missed out; Signafur has the summarized scoop…

Nearly 2,500 canines, spanning 150 breeds and representing 16 countries competed this weekend for the prestigious title of "Best in Show" at the championships. Viewers were biting nails, had tails between legs as the contestants displayed their skills and gave their all for the national title and $225,000 in prizes, the largest amount in dog show history.

Who went home with the loot? James of Fairfax Station, a.k.a. "Diamond Jim," an English Springer Spaniel from Virginia. Diamond Jim pranced off with the blue ribbon and the top cash prize of $50,000.

Photo thanks to Animal Planet

AKC Agility Invitational 2006

Spotlight on Whoopee

Allow us to introduce you to one of the top contestants and dog show favorites at this year's upcoming AKC Agility Invitational in Long Beach, California. Whoopee, a Pyrenean shepherd, named after Whoopi Goldberg (resemblance questionable) has been putting on quite a show collecting blue ribbons around the country. Whoopee's specialty: the agility course, an obstacle track comprised of tunnels, weave poles, jumps and seesaws. What is this pup's secret? According to her handler, Linda Bohm, Whoopee has a tooth for fine cheese and gives it her all for a few slices of Chateaubriand at the finish line.

The AKC Agility Invitational is being held December 2nd and 3rd, 2006 and will be broadcast on Animal Planet.

Photo thanks to the Daily Record